The success of any event depends on the coordinated efforts of all parties involved, as well as the effectiveness of the communications equipment and technology used. Large-scale events, such as professional sporting events, present a unique set of challenges and require extra precautions. This is especially true for events like marathons and bicycle races—sometimes attended by hundreds of thousands of people and spread out over many miles of expansive terrain. A prime example is the 26-mile route of the Boston Marathon, or the 118-mile IRONMAN endurance course in Texas.